BRC.NYSEBrady CORP

SCHEDULE 13G/A: FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson Disclose 8.4% Passive Stake in Brady Corporation

Sentiment:

Beneficial Ownership Disclosure


FMR LLC and its Chairman and CEO, Abigail P. Johnson, have filed an amended Schedule 13G, reporting a passive beneficial ownership of 8.4% of Brady Corporation's Class A Common Stock as of December 31, 2024.

Summary

  • FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson, as reporting persons, have filed an Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G regarding their beneficial ownership in Brady Corporation.
  • As of December 31, 2024, FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson collectively beneficially own 3,733,809.17 shares of Brady Corporation's Class A Common Stock.
  • This ownership represents 8.4% of the total outstanding Class A Common Stock.
  • FMR LLC holds sole voting power over 3,732,013.17 shares and sole dispositive power over 3,733,809.17 shares.
  • Abigail P. Johnson holds sole dispositive power over 3,733,809.17 shares, with no sole or shared voting power directly attributed to her.
  • The filing certifies that the securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of changing or influencing the control of Brady Corporation.
  • FMR LLC is classified as a parent holding company or control person, while Abigail P. Johnson is classified as an individual.
  • Several FMR LLC subsidiaries, including FIAM LLC, Fidelity Institutional Asset Management Trust Company, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, Fidelity Management Trust Company, and Strategic Advisers LLC, are identified as entities that beneficially own shares.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The document is a factual disclosure of beneficial ownership, which is neutral in sentiment. It does not contain positive or negative financial performance data or strategic announcements.

Future Outlook

NA

Management Comments

  • "By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under ยงยง 240.14a-11."

Industry Context

This Schedule 13G filing indicates a significant passive investment by a major institutional investor, FMR LLC (Fidelity Management & Research), in Brady Corporation. Such filings are standard disclosures for investors holding more than 5% of a company's stock, signaling their long-term, non-activist interest in the company. It provides transparency regarding the ownership structure of publicly traded companies.

Corporate Governance

Change TypeDescriptionEffective DateImpact Assessment
Internal Control Structure DisclosureMembers of the Johnson family, including Abigail P. Johnson, are the predominant owners (49% voting power) of Series B voting common shares of FMR LLC. They have a shareholders' voting agreement to vote all Series B shares in accordance with the majority vote, potentially forming a controlling group with respect to FMR LLC under the Investment Company Act of 1940.NAThis clarifies the internal governance and control structure of FMR LLC, the reporting entity, rather than Brady Corporation itself. It indicates a stable, family-controlled leadership at FMR LLC.

Related Party Transactions

  • FMR LLC's beneficial ownership includes shares held by its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates, such as FIAM LLC, Fidelity Institutional Asset Management Trust Company, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, Fidelity Management Trust Company, and Strategic Advisers LLC.

Stakeholder Impact

  • Shareholders: Provides transparency regarding a significant institutional investor's passive stake, which can offer a degree of stability and confidence in the company's long-term prospects.
  • Investment Professionals: Offers updated data on institutional ownership, which is crucial for market analysis and understanding the shareholder base.

Key Dates

DateDescription
12/31/2024Date of event which requires the filing of this statement (reporting period end date).
02/11/2025Date of filing and signature by Stephanie J. Brown on behalf of FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson.

Keywords

Brady Corporation, FMR LLC, Abigail P. Johnson, Schedule 13G, Beneficial Ownership, Class A Common Stock, Passive Investment, Institutional Investor, SEC Filing, Ownership Disclosure

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